Our sister site CBS News has obtained audio tapes of Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger's remarkable landing of a U.S. Airways jet in the Hudson river, and created the accompanying animation of the last moments of flight 1549. Also see the FAA's archive of related files.

From the moment every student pilot begins training, instructors stress the importance of emergency landings (if the landing is on water, it's called ditching). Simulated landings due to engine failure are commonplace during flight training, and before a student is permitted to fly solo, he's required to demonstrate at least minimal competence at them.

No pilot ever hopes to use these techniques. But if it ever becomes necessary, Sullenberger's grace under pressure is an example worth emulating.

About the author

Declan McCullagh is the chief political correspondent for CNET. You can e-mail him or follow him on Twitter as declanm. Declan previously was a reporter for Time and the Washington bureau chief for Wired and wrote the Taking Liberties section and Other People's Money column for CBS News' Web site.
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